March Dharma Talk - What Are the Three Jewels and Why We Take Refuge in Them

Taking refuge in the Three Jewels - Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, is the formal initiation of one’s Buddhist path. While those who have taken refuge in the Three Jewels regularly offer incense and prostrate to the Buddhas, there are beings who offer incense and prostrate to the Buddha yet haven’t taken refuge in the Three Jewels. Yet, both these beings can see themselves as Buddhist. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is similar to having a long-term mentor, who will never abandon us through establishing the formal connection while we open ourselves to liberation first through our own pure and genuine sincerity through the ritual of taking refuge itself.

In Sino Esoteric Buddhism, the Three Jewels are the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Mind.

I take refuge in the Buddha, generating the great compassion to liberate all destined beings.

I take refuge in the Dharma, being tranquil at ease as the…